THE OHIO VALLEY-GREAT LAKES ETHNOHISTORY
ARCHIVES: THE MIAMI COLLECTION
It is noted that the following work from the Miami Archives should be read and
considered within the historical context in which it was composed and printed.
The opinions expressed and the language used do not reflect the opinions or
standards of the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, but are, rather,
indicative of thought in that historical moment during which the document was
published.
Letter to Carleton
(St. Vincennes, May 25, 1777)
Abbott, Edward in: Collections
of the Illinois State Hist.
Library, vol. 1,
pp. 313-316.
CANADIAN ARCHIVES, SERIES Q, COLONIAL OFFICE RECORDS
VOL. 14, Page 48.
[ABBOTT TO CARLETON.]
Copy of a letter from Lieutenant Governor Abbott, Superintendent, dated St. Vincennes, 25th May 1777:
SIR- I have the honor of acquainting your Excellency of my arrival the 19th inst. The short time and trouble with the Indians, &c, have not permitted my taking a general review of the affairs of this district.
Since the conquest of Canada, no person bearing His Majesty's Commission has been to take possession; from this your Excellency may easily imagine what anarchy reigns.
I must do the inhabitants justice for the respectfull reception I met with, and for their readiness in obeying the orders I thought necessary to issue.
The Wabache is perhaps one of the finest rivers in the world, on its banks are several Indian towns, the most considerable the Ouiga [Wea], where it is said there are 1,000 men capable to bear arms. I found them so numerous, and needy, I could not pass without great expense. The presents, though very large, were in a manner despised, saying their ancient Father (the French) never spoke to them without a barn* full of goods.
Having no troops and only a handful of French obliged me to acquiesce in part of their inhabitants' demands, (page 314) which has occasioned a much greater expense than I could have imagined, but I believe it not thrown away, as I left them seemingly well disposed for His Majesty's service.
I have drawn on Mr. Dunn for seven thousand five hundred and thirty-two pounds six shillings and ten pence half penny New York currency and request your Excellency will order payment. I have likewise taken the liberty of drawing on Mr. Dunn for 6,428 livres in favor of Jean Baptiste Racine, dit [alias] St. Marie, who has acted as commandant of this place since it was conceded to His Majesty. The fair character he bears, with the certificate annexed to his account makes me think it just. I hope your Excellency will excuse the incorrectness of this as I am every minute called away and have not a moment to myself.
I beg leave to mention Mr. Edgar, the bearer of this, who has had a great deal of trouble, paid all the expenses of Government without the least gratification, and without whom I could not have kept the accounts in any order from the multiplicity of affairs. I offerd him payment which he refused. He came with me to see the country and can much better inform you of it than I can, who was continually employed.
[This person was John Edgar, a merchant in the Indian trade at Detroit. Of Scotch-Irish descent, his sympathy later drew him to the American side of the war then being fought so bitterly with Great Britain and her Indian allies. He staked all, and for a time, lost all on the issue.
For talking in favor of the Americans, and
especially of his horror of the capture or murder of their women and children
by the savages, he was imprisoned, first at Detroit, and later sent in irons to
Quebec. However, he escaped on the way, going first to Boston and soon
thereafter settled permanently at Kaskaskia.
_______________________________
* This word is very obscure in the original, and it may be meant for cabin.
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